Why is Minnesota so liberal?

I'm interested in listening to the board's opinions on this. The state of Minnesota has given us Walter Mondale and Humphrey. They have elected Al Franken as their current senator and Senator Wellstone was one of the most liberal senators in modern history. I know they have pockets were conservatives like Bachmann come out of Minnesota but by a majority you consistently see liberals elected in state wide elections with the exceptions of Coleman and Pawlenty.

Minnesota has a very powerful third party called the Democratic Farmers Labor Party that is in conjuntion with the Democrats, it's kinda complicated. Anyway, this party along with normal everyday Dems have dominated state politics for the last 60 years.

re: Why is Minnesota so liberal?(Posted by Zach on 7/14/12 at 5:06 pm to Interception)

My golfing partner is from Minn. He's 70, retired down here in La. I axed him the same question about Minn. once. His answer..."Liberals in Minn back in the 1950s would be considered conservatives today. I don't know what happened to my state but I'm ashamed."

re: Why is Minnesota so liberal?(Posted by TupeloTiger on 7/14/12 at 5:52 pm to Zach)

Was watching the History Channel on the show The States How they got their origin. It said when the state was settled, the settlers were of a liberal religious bent and were escaping all rulers and Kings and gov't in general. Liberal types from the very beginning. I only remember because I liked Bachman and Norm Coleman and disliked the thief from Saturday Night Live.

quote:Ralphy boy, if Liberals are so good at preserving the quality of life, why are inner cities the biggest shiteholes on the planet?

Not all inner cities are as you put it "the biggest shitholes on the planet"

Downtown Minneapolis is quite nice and so is downtown St. Paul. I can't answer for inner cities everywhere, but having spent time in New Orleans I have to believe that conservative governors and legislators both state and federal have to share some of the blame for the bad parts of New Orleans. Some state rep or senator from Bunkie has voting power over funds and programs and laws that impact New Orleans. Piyush has power that impacts New Orleans. He deserves some of the blame.

re: Why is Minnesota so liberal?(Posted by Ralph_Wiggum on 7/14/12 at 7:04 pm to Zach)

quote:My golfing partner is from Minn. He's 70, retired down here in La. I axed him the same question about Minn. once. His answer..."Liberals in Minn back in the 1950s would be considered conservatives today. I don't know what happened to my state but I'm ashamed."

Tell your golfing partner we're glad he left. He can vote conservative all he wants in LA.